More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Smalls SAL - February

I LOVE modern technology!  While I'm traipsing around the Dominican Republic with 15 teenagers, I'm magically able to post this Smalls SAL update.

I'm quite pleased with how my PS Christmas Favorites Ornaments are coming along.  I've managed to finish three more this month!

 Look!  Its another Santa... I almost wonder, is he going to smoke that candy cane?

 A little angel

I quite like this poinsettia

Besides The Accolade this is the only other project I've been working on.

Monday, February 24, 2014

IHSW - February

Well fair readers.... you know I'm in the sunny south so there will be no IHSW for me!

Saturday is our first full day in the D.R.  We should be wandering around San Pedro de Macoris and Consuelo

Sunday is our second day in the D.R.  I think we'll be in the Bateys learning about sugar cane harvesting and the conditions the migrant Haitian workers and their families live in.




Saturday, February 22, 2014

PhotoHunt - Amber

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "amber"


This is a picture taken in my area during the fall off 2012.  I love taking pictures of barns, I don't know why.  I just loved this scene of the barn, the frost on the ground and during this particular fall the leaves turned more amber than red.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Aaaaannndddd I'm Outta Here!

I think any Canadian, any Northern resident would agree its been a pretty crappy winter!  The snow and cold temperatures started pretty early back in November.  So far this winter ...

If it hasn't been REALLY cold!

Then its been SNOWING!

We've had very few days where its been mild, or bearable, or not snowing/freezing rain/blowing snow!  I'm a seasoned winter driver and even I've had two close calls this winter!  Some of my drives to work or home from work have been "white knuckle drives".


So you can imagine how excited I am to get on a plane this morning in the cold, snowy North, to get off of the plane to nice, hot, sunny days!  Its that time of year again, for my annual Dominican Experience trip.  I'm off for a third world experience with fifteen teenagers.  I'll be back in a week ... eventually I'll get some pictures up.


I'm just so happy to leave winter behind, even if its for a week!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

PhotoHunt Catch-Up, December 21, 2013

The PhotoHunt theme on December 21, 2013 was "Mellow"


Is this just not the perfect spot to sit and "mellow" out?  Another picture from my Cape Breton adventures from the summer of 2013.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Catch Up Post - Stitching Goals

Well we're now over two weeks into February and I still haven't shared my stitching goals with you for this month.  Being that its been a busy month and I'll be travelling shortly I kept my goals fairly simple.

First let's recap last month's stitching goals:

January Stitching Goals
Start 15 new projects - yes!
Stitch one ornament - three
Work on the Accolade - yes!

February Stitching Goals
Work on the Accolade
Stitch one oranment

Saturday, February 15, 2014

PhotoHunt - Reflection

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "Reflection"


I took this picture in July of 2013 at Cypress Gardens outside of Charleston, S.C.  I'm sure this photo is a fluke!  While the lily pads are out of focus, the reflection of the trees on the water are just perfect!

Friday, February 14, 2014

WIPocalypse - The February Edition

I'm sure I just did a WIPocalypse reporte but it looks like its time again!

This month's question is :How many projects do you generally feel comfortable having in progress at a time? Tell us about your one-at-a-time or rotation habits!

Well I often end up with MULTIPLE projects on the go though deep down in my heart I'm a one at a time girl!  I always like to have at least two projects on the go one BIG project and something small and portable (like ornaments).  Lately I seem to have fallen into the habit of having three projects on the go, one BIG over two one BIG over one and something small.

Right now I have even more than that on the go... but that's because I have a few January Crazy Challenge pieces I haven't gotten back to finishing.  

Honestly, having so many projects on the go stresses me out, I know I'm happiest when I see significant progress on a project.

Right now I'm back on a one at a time streak, and I've been solely focused on The Accolade when I'm at home.  Since the last time I've shown it off I've finished off page 7 and I'm well into page 8

Here it is the last time you saw it

Here it is as of yesterday

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Catching Up - January TUSAL

Another SAL post I've missed is TUSAL on January 30th.


Here's my ort jar so far!  It doesn't look like much because I've been working on The Accolade which is over one on 25ct.  Which does not produce a lot of orts.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Catching Up Post - Smalls SAL

I'm horribly behind on posting updates for a few of my SALs, I'll get them taken care of over the next few days.  Why did I get behind, because I've just been so engrossed in my stitching the last little while that I haven't wanted to take time away from it for blogging.  Things are also fairly busy because I'm getting ready to head out on my annual Dominican Experience trip (we take off on February 21st).

For the month of January I stitched quite a few smalls!  Nothing new you haven't seen before but here they all are.

 Lizzie*Kate
A Little Christmas

 Prarie Schooler
Christmas Favorites

  Prarie Schooler
Christmas Favorites

  Prarie Schooler
Christmas Favorites

 Heart In Hand
Tall Snowman

Just Nan
Cardinal Tweet

Sunday, February 09, 2014

PhotoHunt : Intricate

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "intricate"


Here's another photo from my Charleston trip in July of 2013.  This beautiful gate is made of intricate wrought iron.  It caught my eye while walking around Charleston.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

PhotoHunt Catch-Up December 14, 2013

The PhotoHunt theme on December 14, 2013 was "burst"


This photo of a bull rider bursting out of the gates was taken at the Holstein Rodeo in the summer of 2011.

Monday, February 03, 2014

PhotoHunt Catch-Up December 7, 2013

The PhotoHunt theme on December 7, 2013 was "Creativity"


Really the picture I could of chosen for this one was fairly obvious it could be any of my stitching projects.  I enjoy the creativity my hobby allows you.  I opted for this picture instead, it was taken in September of 2009 and this shows the creative genius at work.  Or when a bunch of stitchers get together and start pouring over charts, fabrics and threads.  In this picture is Adriana on the left who recently left us in November, Beth (black hat) and Beatrice (Adriana's daughter).  We miss you Adriana!

Saturday, February 01, 2014

PhotoHunt - Bridges

This week's PhotoHunt theme is - Bridges


This is one of the many bridges on and off of Montreal Island.  I took this picture in the summer of 2013 when I took my niece to La Ronde for a day of rides and roller coasters.  We were reaching the end of the day as the sun was starting to set over the bridge.  This is an iPhone picture.